Introduced reindeer on South Georgia—A management dilemma

Leader‐Williams, Nigel; Walton, David W.H.; Prince, P. A.

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(89)90016-5

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…During past times of high densities in the rabbit population it is possible that some competition for habitat and food resources may have occurred between rats and rabbits. It may also be that the rat population was limited by the grazing pressure of the rabbits in a way comparable to the restriction of brown rat R. norvegicus populations on South Georgia by the foraging patterns of reindeer Rangifer tarandus (Leader-Williams et al, 1989). In both cases moderate to severe over-grazing of the tussock grasslands may have reduced the food supplies and shelter available to the rats by limiting the spread of tussock, which may in turn have restricted any range expansion by the rats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and habitat use of the feral black rat (Rattus rattus) on subantarctic Macquarie Island

1999

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Macquarie Island is the southernmost limit to the distribution of the black rat Rattus rattus. The species was introduced to this subantarctic island by sealers during the 19th century. The rats are now widespread and abundant in coastal areas all around the island. The distribution of rat populations is divided into discrete units by the availability of suitable habitat which, in turn, is a consequence of the rugged topography, particularly on the west coast. Rats are found from almost sea level to 200±250 m a.s.l. and up to 1 km inland. They have adapted successfully to the rigorous climate and ®rmly occupy a habitat niche in an environment where food is plentiful, predators are few and interspeci®c competition minimal. The principal habitat, tall Poa foliosa tussock grassland, provides year-round shelter and food. Rats dig burrows in the peaty stools of the tussock plants and construct nesting chambers at the base of the dense leaf canopy. Predictably, this provides a warmer and more stable thermal environment than that experienced outside under the tussock canopy where the runs are located. Tussock grasslands are spreading under the in¯uence of management control measures directed at the introduced European rabbit and possibly global warming. Management programmes are also directed towards the eradication of feral cats. In response, rat populations may be expected to expand in numbers and to occupy new territories. Without control this may, in the long term, have serious consequences for the island's avifauna, particularly the smaller, burrow-nesting species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and habitat use of the feral black rat (Rattus rattus) on subantarctic Macquarie Island

1999

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“…Vertebrate pests (table 2) are generally identified as having the most environmental impacts in the sub-Antarctic, and are generally difficult and expensive to eradicate (Leader-Williams et al 1989, Chapuis et al 1994. For example, on some sub-Antarctic islands (e.g., the eastern part of the Kerguelen Archipelago and Macquarie Island), the combination of rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758), impacts and recent climatic change is responsible for major changes in vegetation and some massive erosion (Copson & Whinam 1998, Chapuis et al 2004, Scott & Kirkpatrick 2008.…”

Section: Aliens Across the Sub-antarcticmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aliens in the sub-Antarctic - biosecurity and climate change

Whinam¹

2009

PPRST

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Alien species constitnte the biggest risk to the integrity of terrestrial sub-Antarctic ecosystems. 'Ihe number of alien species is related to island size, temperature, human occupancy and visitation. fncreasing numbers of tourists and expeditioners, combined with an amelioration in conditions associated with climate change are likely to result in an increasing number of alien species arriving at sub-Antarctic islands, as well as an increase in the distribution of existing alien species. Biosecurity is considered to be the most appropriate tool to minimise new introductions and establishment of alien species and to manage existing populations.

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“…For example, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) introduced to South Georgia by Norwegian whalers in the early 1900s (Leader-Williams et al 1989) have caused major changes to the vegetation, including favouring the expansion of various exotic plants(Leader-Williams et al 1987). Part of the explanation for this result is that the South Georgia species-poor vascular flora is not adapted to grazing by vertebrates.However, by feeding on native tussock grassland, reindeer control the expansion of non-native brown rats that use tussock grassland as shelter(Leader-Williams et al 1989).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%